KUALA LUMPUR: The government has spent a total of RM378.8mil on medical needs for pensionable and non-pensionable armed forces veterans since 2020, says Adly Zahari.

The Deputy Defence Minister said in 2020 alone, the ministry spent RM78.8mil on medical treatment for military veterans.

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“The medical costs for veterans in 2021 and 2022 were RM111.5mil and RM105mil respectively.

“So far, we have recorded an expenditure of RM83.5mil in 2023 on medical needs.

“The welfare of the veterans has been a priority of the ministry via the Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) regardless of their retirement status,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 15).

Adly was responding to a question by Nordin Ahmad Ismail (PN-Lumut) who wanted to know the government’s expenditure on medical needs for veterans under JHEV every year since 2020.

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He added that the medical facilities for pensionable retired veterans and eligible dependents are managed via the Health Ministry.

“For non-pensionable veterans and eligible dependants, the following services include application of reimbursement of selected medical expenses such as including haemodialysis, medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids, implants and orthopaedic devices.

“It also includes emergency treatments at a private clinic or hospital, treatment at the National Heart Institute, aid for patient equipment such as wheelchair, crutches, beds, mattresses and so on with a maximum spending of RM5,000 and veteran medical travel claims,” he said.

Adly assured that the government is committed to providing medical allocation for the well-being of veterans in the country.